Although the opening days of 2021 have been challenging, there are definitely glimmers of hope appearing. Welcome to the Hearth and Soul Link Party!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party welcomes blog posts about anything that feeds the soul. Things that feed the soul may include (but are not limited to) recipes, decorating, crafts, family, home, DIY, organization, travel, book reviews, the arts and self improvement.
NB. Please only share blog posts. I’m sorry, but links to Facebook posts etc will be deleted.
What’s Been Happening
Although the first weeks of 2021 have been challenging with the ongoing issues we all face, there are glimmers of hope starting to appear. Vaccine rollouts are progressing well in many countries and although we can’t actually be together in most places, we are finding ways to connect and show we care. Our days are slowly lengthening in the UK and I’ve even seen some blossom on our walks. Look what I spotted in my garden today!
On The Blog
I’m getting lots of content ready for the coming months which I’m excited to share with you soon. In the meantime, I’ve been spending lots of time in the kitchen. I made these delicious muffins for breakfast this morning.
A perfect balance between naughty and nice, my Banana Streusel Muffins with Flaxseed combine a lower sugar muffin with a sweet cinnamon streusel topping.
My husband and I are finding that our days are really full at the moment. It’s so nice to sit down to supper together after a busy day. I’m planning to make this quick and easy recipe for dinner one night this week.
Fresh shrimp, mild spices and stir fried vegetables in a rich tomato sauce make my Easiest Ever Shrimp Primavera recipe the perfect choice for dinner after a busy day. I love it with a nice glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc.
Featured Posts – Glimmers of Hope
Glimmers of Hope featured posts from top left, clockwise:-
I always feel optimistic when I enjoy a special treat for breakfast or at teatime. This Raspberry Twist Bread with a lovely lemon icing from Butter with a Side of Bread look so delicious.
There’s something so rewarding about keeping to my 80/20 aspirations, making healthy choices eighty percent of the time. This Winter Pea Salad Plate with Tomatoes and Cashews from Melynda at Scratch Made Food is really nutrient dense but it’s got tons of flavour too.
It makes me so happy when lovely things happen to members of the Hearth and Soul Community. Lisa of Lisa Notes shared a really wonderful moment in her family’s history with Hearth and Soul last week in My Best News Yet for 2021. I definitely felt glimmers of hope watching Lisa’s video!
Niky of The House on Silverado has repurposed a terrarium using she made from things she had around the house. Her Cozy Winter Scene Terrarium is a great way to keep things looking cheerful after the Christmas decorations are put away.
Thank you all for sharing your inspiring content with Hearth and Soul. On with the party!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party
- Please do not link to anything except blog posts. Please share the permalink to your blog post, and not to the home page of your blog.
- Linking your blog posts here means you consent to me sharing as many of them as I can on Pinterest, Twitter, and both my blog Facebook page and The Hearth and Soul Facebook Page and featuring them on my blog with photographs from the post. It’s easier for me to share if you have share buttons on your blog, and if you put links to your social media on your home page.
- Please consider sharing the party with your friends and followers. There are share buttons at the top and bottom of this post to help make it easy.
What will you bring to the party this week? I always look forward to your posts. I hope this week is a good one for you all, full of unexpected blessings and lots of glimmers of hope.
Comments & Reviews
Hi April, aww I love to see signs of Spring. I keep looking at the daylight lasting longer now when I finish work at 4 pm. Thanks for hosting the blog hop. I’ve linked up a few Valentine’s Day posts and an apple pie 🙂 Have a lovely week ahead.
Hi Claire, I’ve noticed the lighter evenings as well! We are definitely moving in the right direction 🙂 I hope you have a lovely week ahead too.
I’m so glad things are looking up for you! They are here too. My mom is scheduled for her first vaccine on Feb 4th. She’s a busy lady who has chafed at the necessary isolation. I am quite happy about it myself. And I am so looking forward to having a sane president, but worried about what our domestic terrorists have planned for Inauguration Day.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you, Michelle. I’m glad your Mom has her first vaccine scheduled. I will be praying about the inauguration tomorrow and hoping for a smooth transition.Take care.
I love seeing the first signs of spring bloom in your garden April – that made my day!
Thanks for hosting. Hope you have an amazing week! 🙂
Thank you, Ramona! I’m so pleased 🙂 I hope you have an amazing week as well!
I love when I see that the days are slowly getting longer. And the first signs of spring!
Me too, Barbara. It’s a lovely time of year!
Thank you so much, April, for featuring my Winter Scene Terrarium! I always enjoy all the features and creativity on your blog!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
It’s a pleasure, Niky! I really appreciate your support 🙂
Thanks for hosting a lovely party. I so enjoy stopping by each week!
Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul, Sandra! 🙂
I find hope in creativity and peoples ability to bring themselves up to the mountain top. Your parties inspire and give me hope to keep going and trying to create. Hope you have a great week and thanks so much for the party.
Miz Helen
Miz Helen, that is such a lovely compliment. Thank you so much! I hope you have a great week too. Thank you for all your support!
Hi April
My husband had the first dose of the vaccine. I can’t get it as yet as it is reserved for 70 and over in my state right now. It made me happy he could get some protection right now and I am hopeful I will get the vaccine in a couple of months.
As always I love the delicious treats you share each week!
Pat
Hi Pat, I’m so glad your husband got the vaccine, and I hope your first dose will come sooner than you expect. Thank you so much for your support of Hearth and Soul. Take care and have a good week!
There’s nothing quite like seeing those first buds, is there, April? They always seem too early really but I’m always both so surprised and grateful to see them. Likewise, I’m excited about the vaccine being administered to family and friends. All are glimmers of hope indeed.
I always love the variety of what you share here! Your shrimp dish looks especially fantastic. This week I’m linking up an updated gluten-free King Cake recipe roundup (they’re so pretty! hard to believe it’s that time of year again) and sweet potato muffins. It’s definitely the time for lots of baking and these muffins really shine when roasted sweet potatoes are used. That is great as I’m happy to turn on my oven for any reason right now. 🙂
Have a terrific week!
Shirley
There really isn’t, Shirley 🙂 I agree, the buds are very early though – here’s hoping we don’t get a frost! Thank you so much for the compliments. I look forward to your posts! Hope you have a wonderful week too. Thank you for your support!
Every additional minute of daylight encourages me!
Me too, Michele! I actually check the sunrise and sunset times almost daily so I notice it even more 🙂
Mmmm – I love anything with shrimp in it so I will be going to check that recipe out!
I hope you like it, Alexandra! It’s definitely one of my favourites 🙂
Thank you for hosting. Have a wonderful week!
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Priyam!
Hi April! I am trying to be hopeful by focusing on the things I have any control over! I love seeing your flowers coming up. I love creating for my family. And, I love seeing that there is a lot to enjoy and be thankful for in this crazy world. Thanks for always shedding a positive light on life.
Thank you, Helen, that is such a lovely compliment. I agree, it’s important to focus on what we can control and try not to worry too much about the rest. It will definitely all come out in the wash eventually 🙂
April, thank you for posting. Yesterday, I was looking for a muffin recipe. I’ll be checking out this one and trying it soon. I hope you have a wonderful day!
I hope you enjoy the recipe, Carrie. I have many more muffin recipes you can find on the blog if you type “muffin” in the search bar 🙂
Good to hear things are getting better. Thanks for hosting.
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Anita! I hope things are getting better where you are too.
April, thank you so much for the lovely feature of my Winter Pea Salad with Tomatoes and Cashews! Take care and have a great week ahead!
It’s a pleasure, Melynda! Thank you for sharing it. I hope you have a lovely week ahead too. Take care.
A little jealous that your flowers are growing already. We are in the dead of winter here in Ontario. While it has been mild, we are in for a cold snap this week.
Thank you for hosting and I hope you have a great week!
I remember those January and February days in Ontario, Cindy 🙂 I hope things warm up for you soon. Take care and I hope your week is wonderful too. 🙂
I agree – even with everything else going on, the longer/warmer days and beginnings of new growth can bring such joy. Thanks for hosting us again. 🙂 I brought by some Cheddar Bacon Swirl Biscuits. Hope you enjoy!
Those biscuits sound lovely! Thank you for visiting and sharing, CJ!
Daffodils already??? Oh, that makes my heart happy to see. I always love the first sight of those every year. I haven’t spotted any yet in my yard. Thanks for sharing my good news about the grandson! We’re all so excited.
I’m so pleased, Lisa! I do love it when the spring flowers start to come through. I am so happy for you all, and was so touched that you shared this precious moment in your family’s life!
This is what I featured 1-11 to 1-15-2021. On Tuesday was New England Creamy Clam Chowder. Wednesday was Hearty Minestrone Soup. Thursday was Watercress Soup. And Friday was Creamy Ham Chowder. Enjoy!
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Marilyn! Have a great week!
Hey April! It’s been a while I know, but finally have a new post to contribute. I took a lot of 2020 off but hope to post more in 2021. Hope you and your family are doing well. Happy 2021!!
Happy New Year, MJ! It’s lovely to see you back at Hearth and Soul. I look forward to your new recipe. I hope you and yours are doing well too. Have a wonderful week!
Hope is something we all need right now, isn’t it! While, ultimately, we must find our hope in the Lord, it is encouraging when he reveals Himself through the budding of flowers and other natural things. Thanks for hosting. Have a great week.
It really is wonderful how we can see God in nature, Donna! I hope you have a lovely week as well.
Yay for early spring blooms!
I agree, Joanne! Have a lovely week!
Your banana muffins look so good! I just saved that post because I’m definitely going to try out your recipe! Thanks so much for sharing and thanks so much for hosting! Hope you’re having an awesome week! Blessings!
Thank you so much, Tai! Blessings to you too!
Those muffins look great!
Thank you, Lauren!
Nice find in the garden and those muffins look so yummy. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Thank you so much, Patrick! I hope you are having a wonderful week too.
April, thank you for hosting and for always posting something uplifting. Yes, we are finding ways to connect. I’ll be delivering soup today to a busy young mum who is not feeling well this week.
Thank you, Jean. And what a lovely thing to do. It is wonderful how we can support each other in these challenging times and how it enriches our experience too. Thank you for all your support!
Always a lovely party here! Thank you for being an optimistic host!
Thank you, Jennifer!